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Karilyn Arnold’s sense of sartorial style
was influenced by her lifelong fashion
heroine, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. “Chanel’s
progressiveness was quite something – she
was way ahead of her time,” says Karilyn. “One
day she would dress like a woman, the next
like a man – and no matter what she wore, she
always looked fabulous.”
Credited for liberating post WWI women
from frills, fuss and chest-restricting corsets,
Chanel’s look was one of youthful ease, a
liberated physicality, and unencumbered
sportive confidence. Karilyn has followed that
lead, offering discerning women a feeling of
understated luxury rather than ostentation.
Her team of dedicated staff also stand behind
Coco’s claim that “women can be gorgeous at
thirty, charming at forty and irresistible for the
rest of their lives”.
“Every woman has her own distinct style,” says
Karilyn. “And our goal is to help ladies project
their individuality confidently. We love seeing
women try on our garments and feel good
about themselves.”
“Women can be gorgeous at thirty,
charming at forty,
and irresistible for the rest of their lives”
A LIFE OF TWISTS AND TURNS
Born in New Plymouth to dairy farming
parents, Karilyn grew up on the ethos of
hard work, having responsibilities and a
love for land and animals. After marrying,
Karilyn pig farmed near Morrinsville – and
whether she was building pens, managing
electrics, or towing a trailer of pigs to market,
her hair and make up were always done before
she stepped out the door!
Farming taught Karilyn business economics and
the necessity of finding solutions to problems.
And the pigs? “They were very happy pigs,
very clean pigs,” she told us. Not surprising,
considering the avant-guard conditions they
enjoyed: a farrowing house with electric under-
floor heating, plants to de-stress, and music
to keep her porcine babies entertained.
Although Karilyn actually started a career in
fashion by owning her first boutique at age
23, she hasn’t always been involved in the
industry. She was a dancer, a dance teacher
and a dance adjudicator, and owned a large
Highland and Irish dance studio in the Waikato,
winning many prestigious dance competitions
including NZ Championships.
Karilyn has also worked as a qualified Lifeline
counsellor, a victim support counsellor and as
a liaison officer for the American Field Services,
working abroad with international students
coming to the Waikato and Coromandel
regions. These jobs taught her the art of
listening, the importance of being non-
judgemental, and patience.
“In the fashion industry you have to be patient
and have a genuine interest in the person. We
do our best to show women how special and
beautiful they are inside, and that our clothing
only enhances that.”
Karilyn, and her teams at Milly’s in Tairua and
Kayla in Thames, invite you to visit them in-
store where they offer a full wardrobe service
and advice on the essentials of ‘destination
dressing’. Helping women find clothing that is
fashionable and flattering to their figures, they
give clients options with sincere honesty if it’s
not the right style.
The stores’ reputations speak for themselves –
their clientele is far-reaching and loyal,
coming from across NZ, to shop for their new-
seasons wardrobes.
Fashion-conscious women will find Karilyn’s
refined capsule of ready-to-wear quality
garments in either of her two stores. Her
curated collections include mainly upmarket
local and international fashion labels not
available elsewhere on the Coromandel.
Women are encouraged to invest in quality
basics that can be dressed up or down
depending on the occasion. Karilyn adds,
“It’s a good feeling to put on quality clothing
that makes you ‘feel good.’ It creates a sense
of confidence to be able to tackle whatever
challenges the day may present.”
Karilyn Arnold is a sophisticated business
woman who dresses impeccably. She has
successfully created an exclusive fashion niche
on our beautiful peninsula, yet is unpretentious
and humble.
Karilyn explains, “What I enjoy most about the
business is getting to know so many genuine
people – I learn a lot from the women who shop
with us and I’m truly thankful for that.” And
with a smile she adds, “I’m also grateful for my
best friend and partner, Paul, and my extremely
supportive staff.”
Currently it’s a bit like a mid-winter Christmas
party at the two stores with the ‘girls’ busy
opening boxes of stock that have just arrived
from Germany and Italy with more arriving
every day. Having worked together for many
years, the staff is extremely knowledgeable
about the products and labels the stores’
stock. “Please come in and try on the new
season’s garments – with no pressure to buy.
We call this ‘having a play’.”
by Rowena Brown
‘Coco’ Chanel (above) has been a long
time inspiration for Karilyn Arnold,
owner of Milly’s onMain in Tairua and
Kayla in Thames.
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COROMANDEL LIFE 2018 WINTER/EARLY SPRING